Lots of thoughts here, unfortunately not all good.
This is rather interesting. I was planning on buying an iPod touch today, but now I may have to hold off, as the camera was one of the most fascinating rumors around. I was planning on just dealing with it, though now I'm not so sure.
Now maybe you know why Apple hates leaks and rumors. It causes confusion in the consummers mind.
The flip side to the camera issue is that it could be a very long time before an acceptable camera can be found to fit in Touch. We might not see anything at all with the next rev and no before Christmas model either. By the way I'm in the camp that is hoping that Apple can indeed fix whatever the problem was real soon and debut before Christmas.
From pure speculation, I would have to surmise that there are a few possible courses of action for apple here.
Well yeah that is always the case. Something few people realize.
I don't believe that there's a set duration that the new touches will be in production before the camera model is introduced.
Niether do I. However if they can get the problem resolved before the holiday shopping season I suspect they will punt. That is wait for the next rev.
I also have this idea in the back of my head that maybe they have plans to introduce that ten inch iPod tablet before the holidays. It would be nice to have the camera equiped Touch ready for that. Especially if they can bump the specs a bit. By bump I mean more RAM for apps and a lower power processor.
At this point no body is factoring in that other tablet. Apple could very well want to be able to apply some gloss to the older hardware when that comes out.
There wouldn't be much to worry about between the nano and touch, as the cheap $199 touch would likely not come with a camera. That means that consumers would have to choose between a $149 nano with video capabilities, or a $299 touch with video capabilities. Both models would be widely purchased due to the gap in pricing.
There never has been an issue here. All the concern about cannabilization is just noobs stroking themselves in the hopes that they come off looking smart. The only thing that matters to Apple is that they move product in increasing volume. Expanding the product line is a given to keep units sales increasing, thus special purpose iPods like iPhone.
Now, I can certainly understand that the iPod touch last-minute camera flaws may be valid rumors. I can also understand why Apple would keep their intended release date. But here's the thing, there's virtually no question that Apple intended to have a camera in the device, and even if the cameras were pulled last-minute, the space remains. I'm led to believe that regardless of the fact that several consumers have purchased iPod touches already, and several more will, that Apple will introduce cameras whenever they're fit to be released.
Exactly!
I'm also surmising that Apple will offer a service to conveniently put the cameras into existing models, for a bit of a fee.
Not a chance in hell. It would cost a fortune to do this tobdevices in the field. On top of that why would they retrofit a device that is already doing everything it has been advertised to do?
I'm absolutely positive Apple has contemplated the same things you all have ... if consumers buy now, and the camera is quickly introduced, there will be a massive uproar of angry patrons.
At this point I honestly believe that anybody stupid enough to complain about a quick introduction of a camera equiped Touch ought to be hauled off to Gitmo and tortured for days on end. We just don't need people that are that stupid in this country!!!!!!!!!!! The reality is all the info is there to make an informed buy, after which you have no right to complain about new prducts from any manufacture.
Besides that I've hadn't heard of a huge demand for a camera in the Touch. Sure we have the whinners here that got their hopes up with respect RUMORS about a camera but who really cares about them?
There has to be a logical fix to that problem, and that is simply offering the camera to those who couldn't wait for it.
From the standpoint of a business that is completely stupid. If Apple started to give away stuff because people couldn't wait for it the would go broke within a year. That is like saying Apple should give me a 2009 MBP because I couldn't wait any longer and got an early 2008 instead. The fact is I made the deal at the time for the product available at the time. Sure the newest MBPs are vastly improved but that doesn't mean I deserve a new one on Apple.
In the case of Touch it is pretty much the same idea. You buy hardware (make the deal) based on what is available at the time. I have to ask though does anybody out there think this is the last rev to the Touch iPods? I would hope not thus everyone should expect that Apple will continously upgrade the devices in the future.
Of course, this is all just speculation. I was planning on buying the 64GB touch today, though now I think I'll wait for the camera, as the app functionality with the cameras would be pristine.
Funny you use that word "pristine" which may very well be the opposite of what you get. Technically it is going to be very difficult to get very high quality images out of a camera that small. So don't count on the software delivering great results. Not to mention is the lack of a GPS or compass to work with some of that software.
In any event that word pristine just bothers me as we are talking ultra small cell phone cameras here. That word shouldn't come anywhere near a discussion like this.
Which brings me to a new point, everyone keeps addressing the fact that the iPod touch is becoming too close to the iPhone, and this will hurt iPhone sales. The iPod touch does not offer 3G connectivity, which is arguably the most convenient feature on the iPhone. For this reason, Apple really doesn't need to worry about the iPhone sales plummeting.
Exactly! Everytime somebody brings this up I want to grab a bat. The two markets are entirely different.
Here's something that it seems no one has considered:
By introducing cameras to the iPod touch line, just how much do you think Apple will make from iTunes Store app purchases?
Actually I suspect very little. That due to the expected low quality of the camera. Even iPhone is less than attractive to photographers
This would open up the entire world of photography apps to iPod touch users. The potential for profiting continually from the number of these is absolute.
Nope don't buy that at all. There are simply to many problems with respect to technical issues with cell phone cameras for much of that software to be taken seriously.
So, I would have to say that it's in Apple's best interests to offer a camera in the near future, and when I say "near future," I mean whenever it's ready.
Well if before the Holiday season yes. However resolving those technical issues may be next to impossible. The other problem is that this will be a low end camera going into an expensive device. At times it actually makes more sense to me to have such crap go into Nano.
But hey maybe they have a line on a micro camera of exceptional quality. My knowledge of optics tells me they don't. So in a way I kinda hope that they start over with the idea of a camera in the Touch. Instead of thinking thin simply come out with a pregnant model with a sensor that is close to point and shoot quality.
At least, we can all hope, right?
Hope - but we all hope for different things. I lean towards being against a camera in the Touch unless Apple can improve upon what is currently in the iPhone or most cell phones for that matter.
Personally I don't think a camera will stimulate sales the way some seem to think. The 64 GB model will likely do more to stimulate the buying public. I'm not saying people aren't interested in pics just that if you have a Touch you also likely have a cell phone with camera.
You have a lot of those
. Keep them coming.
don't forget the iPhone contract with AT&T is almost expired. I don't think Apple wants a bunch of "Aw, it's cool that the iPhone is on my carrier now, but I already have an iPod touch ... " responses, so maybe they're holding off until both can be released at the same time-or-so, so that the iPhone gets the main attention. Who knows? There are so many variables ...
I don't believe you said that after earlier indicating that there is little interaction between the two products.
In any event I think Apple is tied to GSM and will simply wait for the other carriers to move to 4G. By the way at least one carrier has already said that they will go the route Apple is expected to take. I don't personally believe that Apple wants to make iPhones for dying tech.
Dave
